Appointments cancelled at short notice and
missed appointments

Every medical practice is entitled to charge for appointments that are canceled at the last minute or not kept at all, regardless of the reason (illness, train cancellation, car breakdown, forgotten appointment, etc.). The only criterion is whether we had a chance to fill the canceled appointment on such short notice. This applies not only to medical practices but also to other service providers such as physical therapists, podiatrists, or hairdressers.

According to the Medical Association of the Canton of Zurich, charging 100 francs would be permissible for cancellations made less than 48 hours before the appointment. For many years, we have adopted a significantly more lenient approach: for an appointment canceled with less than 24 hours’ notice, we charge 50 francs (100 francs only for longer initial consultations). This fee policy is stated in the confirmation email sent for each appointment. The amount covers only a small portion of the lost revenue but is intended to raise awareness of the business aspects of our practice. Our team is instructed not to grant any individual exceptions, so discussions are futile.